MUMBAI: Kashmir's first woman radio announcer Shanta Kaul passed away on 4 August after suffering from brief illness.

It is learned that Kaul, 83, was admitted at Jahangir Hospital in Pune. She is survived by her renowned broadcaster and writer husband Pran Kishore and four children.

Kaul started her career with Radio Kashmir in 1950 since its inception and was associated with the broadcaster for over four decades. She shot to fame with her voice for the character Appa Jaan in the weekly 'Bachon ka Programme', produced and presented by her. The character was immensely loved by children and entertained them for 25 long years. Kaul's recognition transcended the national border with her programme 'Aap ki Farmaish', which was popular Pakistan.

She was also a prolific writer and published several poems and stories which were broadcast across stations of All India Radio, including the National Channel. Her collection of short stories, 'Kaali Raat Ka Suraj', was released in Srinagar by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last year, while her latest collection of poems 'Lamha Lamha Katra Katra' is under publication.

Shanta Koul was closely associated with the making of the first Kashmiri feature film "Shair-E-Kashmir Mehjoor" and dubbed for the female leads dialogues in Kashmiri.

She received several honours for her service in the broadcasting industry, including the Bakshi Memorial Award for the Best Broadcaster in 1989.